Le Monastère des Augustines: A Distinctive Quebec Metropolis Wellness Retreat Rooted in Historical past
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Should you’ve ever wished to expertise Europe’s soulful hospitality with out crossing an ocean, step inside Québec Metropolis’s Previous City. Nestled inside the ramparts and centuries-old partitions, Le Monastère des Augustines gives greater than only a place to remain—it’s an area for restoration, holistic well being, and cultural immersion.
A Legacy of Therapeutic, Reimagined
The current-day Monastère des Augustines occupies the fantastically preserved wings of the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec monastery, whose structure dates again to the late seventeenth century, surviving fires and reconstructions all through historical past.
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The buildings, chapel, and surrounding grounds are protected as historic monuments, embracing a heritage that blends European traditions with the resilience and spirit of Québec Metropolis. At present, the Monastère des Augustines resort honours that enduring mission by providing friends a sanctuary of wellness, heritage, and holistic care, inviting everybody to expertise the therapeutic philosophy cultivated by the Augustinian sisters throughout generations.
“For greater than three centuries, the Augustinian neighborhood managed Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, the primary everlasting hospital in New France, established in 1644 by the nuns who got here to look after each the French settlers and Indigenous peoples. The twelve hospitals based by the Augustinian Sisters laid the foundations of Québec’s fashionable healthcare system. These hospitals ultimately built-in into Québec’s public well being community within the Nineteen Sixties, although some monasteries retain their authentic features.”
Supply: Ville de Québec (Québec Metropolis), The Augustinian Nuns and the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, ville.quebec.qc.ca
Each element right here honours that custom. Their Wellness Expertise package deal blends lodging in historic genuine or modern rooms, healthful meals (together with silent breakfasts), a complete 90-minute customized well being session, a 60-minute therapeutic massage, and every day motion, yoga, and meditative strolling—all set in an environment of silence, magnificence, and concord.
Mindfulness Meets Heritage
One of the distinctive options of this boutique resort is its museum and archives. The Augustinian Sisters saved cautious data of their medical care and cures, although formal scientific research as we perceive them at the moment didn’t exist within the seventeenth century. Caring for sufferers was integral to their lives, a vocation mirrored within the onsite museum.
Touring this museum is an integral a part of the peaceable, contemplative ambiance impressed all through the resort, inviting friends to attach deeply with the legacy of care and therapeutic nurtured right here.
The museum holds over 40,000 artifacts from the 12 monastery-hospitals they based, together with medical devices, handwritten data, and private gadgets. Interviews with the sisters supply intimate perception into their compassionate work.
The Religious Spa
My go to centred round wellness—and the spotlight was a therapeutic massage that felt “non secular.” Le Monastère’s Signature therapeutic massage is rooted within the rituals of the sisters: a mild foot bathing, heat important oils, and deeply intuitive care that transcends approach.
The spa menu features a dozen therapeutic massage sorts (fragrant, Thai, lymphatic drainage, and head and so on.), facials, and neurobed periods that mix vibration and sound for profound leisure. Well being consultations are additionally out there, embracing mindfulness and meals as holistic drugs.
Wellness at Le Monastère goes past a conventional ‘spa’. Each day yoga, tai chi, meditation, Qigong, and contemplative walks are thoughtfully designed for all ages and skills, specializing in breath, mild motion, and introspection—no high-intensity exercises right here.
A Private Reflection on the Signature Therapeutic massage
It had been a really busy few days—and so they have been solely going to get busier. The concept of slowing down, even simply within the morning, was extremely interesting. I had been battling again points and sciatica ache, so I used to be particularly wanting ahead to the Signature Therapeutic massage.
The expertise begins when the therapeutic massage therapist involves your room to information you to the spa space. You’re offered slippers and an opulent gown, and tucked away on the finish of a quiet corridor, you might be invited to go away all of your worries behind and easily deal with the current second.
The therapeutic massage itself begins with a foot bathing ritual, adopted by the appliance of heat important oils. As a Catholic, the foot tub felt nearly spiritual in its significance—however there’s additionally one thing actually luxurious about having your ft cared for after all of the strolling travellers do.
With monastic music composed by Hildegarde within the twelfth century taking part in gently within the background, the therapeutic massage therapist labored gently and intuitively, and the full-body therapeutic massage launched a lot of the strain that lingers whenever you simply don’t really feel like your self.
She checked to make sure I used to be relaxed and having fun with the therapeutic massage. It was a deeply restorative expertise—each bodily and non secular – it might be arduous to clarify however the entire setting lends itself to a stage of peace and reflection.
I can’t suggest this remedy sufficient and actually recognize the care and considerate consideration the therapeutic massage therapist offered all through.
— Margarita Ibbott
Areas for Stillness
Le Monastère des Augustines Lodge options tranquil gardens, a contemplative chapel, broad corridors stuffed with historic artifacts, and serene widespread areas just like the Augustinian choir. Visitor rooms—each genuine (evoking monastic simplicity) and modern—are designed for relaxation, reflection, and privateness. No TVs or telephones disturb the peace, and pure mild fills the areas. Wholesome delicacies spotlights native components and aware preparation, supporting the journey towards interior and outer well-being.
Every morning this stunning luxurious resort, begins with a silent breakfast, encouraging mindfulness and a relaxed begin to the day—a singular ritual that honours the resort’s contemplative heritage. Le Vivoir breakfast itself incorporates a considerate choice of nourishing, domestically sourced produce and merchandise, together with contemporary baked items, seasonal fruits, natural cereals, and scorching drinks. The emphasis is on easy but healthful fare that helps wellness and reflection.
A spot for therapeutic and respite
Le Monastère des Augustines additionally gives specifically tailor-made retreats and respite packages for healthcare professionals and caregivers, recognizing the distinctive stresses of their essential work. Particular charges can be found for caregivers in search of rejuvenation, although these preparations should be made instantly with the Monastère. After my most up-to-date go to, it’s clear why this serene and supportive setting is good for these in want of relaxation and renewal.
Why Le Monastère Is Totally different
Greater than a resort, Le Monastère des Augustines is a heritage haven of tradition and wellness—rooted in a legacy of care and totally devoted to holistic well being. Whether or not you come for restoration, non secular retreat, or just to unplug and reconnect, it’s a sanctuary within the coronary heart of vibrant Previous Québec.
I left lighter, restored, and impressed—a testomony to the therapeutic that occurs when historical past and well-being intertwine. This distinctive and traditionally important lodging gives an enriching cultural and non secular journey in French Canada.
Disclosure: I requested an invite to expertise Le Monastère des Augustines firsthand as a part of the TBEX Convention. I had beforehand taken yoga courses and loved a meal at Le Vivoir as a part of two totally different press journeys. All of the opinions and pictures for this text are my very own.
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Margarita Ibbott is a journey and life-style blogger. She blogs about journey in Canada, the USA and Europe giving sensible recommendation by way of restaurant, resort and attraction critiques. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and different on-line media shops.
